Office of Public Imagination

Service Design

Pilot Overview

The NYC Office for Public Imagination is an innovative, on-the-ground think tank that tackles complex community issues through participatory governance. Its mission is to address quality-of-life challenges that negatively impact residents by conducting research and co-designing solutions with stakeholders. This concept agency sought to model a new type of governance that leverages local relationships to foster collaboration and innovation. By making resources and representatives from both the public and private sectors approachable, the agency aimed to serve as a “middle ground” between government and citizens, providing a platform for meaningful engagement.

By integrating participatory design methods, the project not only engaged the community but also highlighted how design can bridge the gap between local government and its citizens. The goal was to inspire a sense of shared ownership and possibility, modeling how urban spaces can be reimagined to better serve the people who use them.

Contribution

This pilot project for the NYC Office for Public Imagination reimagined East River Park as a collaborative space where residents could actively shape its future. As the co-lead for creative direction, service design, and program planning for “Imagining East River Park,” I spearheaded efforts to transform community engagement through design thinking. By crafting an "intercept-style" exhibit within East River Park, I helped create an innovative platform that combined creativity and community-centered design to foster meaningful dialogue and co-creation. Featuring imagination boards, facilitated discussions, and interactive elements, the in-park exhibit encouraged residents to share their visions and aspirations for the park, making them active contributors to its transformation.